Email Security
To keep your email secure, be aware of the following electronic threats:
- Requests for Unity ID or password
- These requests are always fraudulent. They are "phishing" attempts.
- Do not respond to them in any way.
- Report them immediately to the NC State Help Desk.
- OIT personnel will never ask for your password for any reason.
- Attachments
- Viruses and similar electronic threats are emailed widely, very often as attachments.
- Don't open any attachment unless it came from someone you know and you are certain that it was actually sent by that person.
- Links inside messages
Clicking on a link inside a malicious email message can do one or more of the following:- Direct you to a Web site that entices you to enter personal information that can be exploited.
- Download a program that
- extracts sensitive information from your computer,
- records every keystroke you make,
- uses your machine as a "slave" to send virus-infected email, or
- monopolizes your processing power.
- Malicious scripts
If a malicious script is embedded in an email message, merely opening that message can compromise your computer. The script will be activated even though you don't click on a link or open an attachment.
For additional information, see: